Fire wall construction



Feb. 8, 193$. G CROMBlE; 5 2,107,524

FIRE WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 12, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l TH I H INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Q] GEORGE C/POMB/E, 5

Feb. 8, 1938. CRQMBIE, 5 2,107,524

FIRE WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGE (moms/ 5/? Patented Feb. 8, 1938 PATENT OFFICE 2,107,524 FIRE WALL CONSTRUCTION George Crombie,

Sn, Denver, 0010., assignor to The Stearns-Roger Manufacturing Company,

Denver, Colo.

Application February 12, 1936, Serial No. 63,581

12 Claims.

My invention relates to fire wall construction, and more particularly to that type of construction in which an inner expansible fire wall is anchored. to an outer cover wall and its supporting structure.

In the construction of boiler settings and the like, difficulties are encountered in anchoring the component parts of the structure due to the fact that the inner'fire wall is subjected to temperature variations of such magnitude that the material composing the wall is subjected to a wide range of expansion and contraction.

Various constructions and devices are now in use for anchoring a fire wall of this type to an outer wall. The chief difficulty with the means now available for this purpose is that costly parts and fastening devices are employed, with the result that in constructing a wall of a given size, of this character, the cost of materials used is much greater than the cost of materials which could be used if such fastenings were not employed.

In addition to the foregoing, where special fastenings and brick construction are used, additional time is required in fixing the same in position in the Wall, with the result that in a wall of this type, of any given size, the labor cost for building the same is materially increased.

It is an object of'the present invention to provide a fire wall construction which is effective in anchoring the inner fire wall to an outer wall, free for the required amount of expansion, and which can be constructed at practically the same cost as a fire wall in which fastening devices have been omitted.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a special tile construction effective for positively holding special castings, when in place in a wall 7 A further object of the invention is the provision of a special casting to be anchored in a fire wall, which is so constructed as to permit a circulation of air about its entire surface when in prevent excessive heating place in a fire wall, to of the same, and which cooperates with a fastening device anchored inacover wall to effectively maintain the said walls in substantially uniform spaced relation while permitting a free up-anddown and lengthwise movement of either wall, by expansion and contraction produced by temperatures to which the wall is subjected.

Still another object of the invention resides in a novel fire wall construction by which an inner fire wall is positively anchored to an outer cover wall, and which is easily built and durable in use.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a combined supporting and anchoring device which is slidably attached to the columns or beams supporting an outer cover wall.

Still other objects reside in novel steps and treatments, and novel combinations and arrange- 5 ments of parts as will more fully appear in the course of the following description. To give a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in the several views of which like parts have been siml0 ilarly designated, and in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of a boiler setting or the like, to which my invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a wall embodying the construction illustrated in Figure 1, and showing the manner of applying the fastening devices to the walls in section;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tile construction used for anchoring the fastening devices in the fire wall;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the casting used in connection with the tile of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken along line 55, Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of a boiler setting or the like, employing an insulated metal cover wall, and having combined anchoring and supporting elements connecting the inner fire wall with the supporting beams of the metal wall;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary vertical section through a wall similar to the wall of Figure 6, illustrating the manner of applying the fastening devices, and corresponding in position to the lines 'l'l of Figure 8; v

Figure 8 is a section taken along line 8-8, Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment for anchoring the cover wall 40 of Figure 1 at the corners;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view of an expansion joint used in the present construction; and

Figure 11 is a plan View of another embodiment of a casting used in the wall construction illustrated in Figure 6.

Referring first to Figure 1, the reference numeral I2 designates an inner -fire wall constructed of suitable materials such as fire brick, or the like. Adjacent and in spaced relation to the fire wall is an outer cover wall l3 constructed of ordinary brick. At various intervals along the length of wall l3, structural members in the form of anchoring columns M are located.

In Figure 1' the column M has been illustrated in the form of an I-beam of structural steel acting as the corner support for the wall. While no anchoring has been shown for the beam 84, it will be understood that it is fixedly anchored by setting in cement or in otherwise fastening it to the structure in which the boiler setting is being built.

At selective elevations above a floor l5 or other base on which the structure is supported, brace beams l6 are built into the wall l3. These beams are preferably of the usual structural steel angle iron construction of L-section, and are disposed with one flat side between courses of the brick wall I3, and with the other side of the beam flush with the outer face of the wall E3. The faces of the members l6 disposed between the courses of brick are provided at selective intervals with lengthwise extending slots IT.

The I-beams M which serve as the corner supports for wall 13 are provided on the outer face of the innermost flange with an angle iron section l8 suitably fastened thereto as by welding, riveting or the like. The wall I3 is built against and in alinement with the face of the angle section projecting outwardly from the flange of I-beam l4. Hook members IS, in the form of flat metal barshaving an offset extension, are suitably fastened on the outer face of beam I5 adjacent the angle irons IS, with the extension portion of the same overlapping and bearing against the projecting section of the angle iron 18.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the wall l3 will at all times be held against angle iron l8, in alinement with the projecting portion of the same, while being free for lengthwise movement as the fastening hook I9 is free for lengthwise movement relative to the section of angle iron l8, which it bears against. It is also apparent that the fastening l9 and wall I3 are free to slide along this section in an up-anddown direction.

The wall I 2, at the same elevation as the beams l6, has a course of refractory tile in place of the usual fire brick of the wall. This tile course consists of two complementary sections 20a and 201), each provided at one end with a specially shaped recess 2 l whose function will be explained hereinafter. These tile sections are preferably of the same length as the fire brick, but of greater width, and of a thickness approximating the thickness of a usual fire brick.

When placed in the wall, the sections 20a and 2022 are disposed with the recesses 2| in adjoining relation, and are fixed in position by applying mortar or cement between the adjoining faces.

Castings 22, preferably formed of a metal or alloy possessing heat-resisting properties, such as cast iron, are fitted in the recesses 2| at the time the sections 20a. and 201) are installed in the wall.

The recesses 2| comprise an inner rectangular section 23, and a narrowed entrance portion 24, extending tothe outer endof the block centrally thereof.

A casting 22 comprises two widened ends 25, and 26 respectively, connected by a narrower neck 21.-' The end portion and neck 21 are shaped in conformity with the sections 23 and 24 respectively, of recess 2|, and are of a dimension permitting them to snugly fit in the said recessed portions. The outer end of the portion 25 is recessed as indicated at 28, and the portion25 and neck 21 are of channel section which is clearly shown in Figure 5.

When the casting 22 is fitted in the adjoining recesses 2| of the blocks 20a and 2%, air from the space 29 between the walls I2 and i3 is free to circulate across the upper and lower faces of the portions 25 and 21, and across the recessed end 28 of portion 25.

The other end portion 26 of casting 22 is provided with a slot 31), disposed transversely to the lengthwise axis of neck 21. A tie bar 3| having upstanding tongues 3la and 3th at its ends, co-nnects casting 22 with a beam It. The tongue 35a. is inserted through one of the slots ll of the beam, and the tongue 3) projects upwardly through the slot in casting 22. Additional courses of brick are then built over the beam l6, and its adjoining brick course. with the result that the wall i3, beam 15 and tie 3! become a unitary structure.

- Similarly, additional courses are built over the course of tile 20, and the wall l2, tile 23 and casting 22 also become a unitary structure. It will be observed that the slots 30 are of much greater length than the width of tongue 3%. While Figure 1 shows the tile course as consisting of a row of adjoining tiles 25, it will be understood that if less anchoring is required, any selected number of fire bricks may be placed between two of the tiles 20.

It will be noted that in the wall construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the bottom course of bricks in the wall l3 consists of a row of headers H on which six rows of stringers S are placed. Headers H are likewise placed immediately above and below the beam Hi.

The practice is again repeated for the next rise of the wall, and so on. While the foregoing has been found to give excellent results, it will be understood that any arrangement of courses may be employed and the fastening devices of the present invention utilized therewith.

The fire wall I2 is preferably started with a course of headers H and then alternate stringers S and headers H are used until the elevation for tile 2i) is reached. A row of headers H is preferably disposed above and below the tile course and the foregoing practice is also repeated for successive rises.

In certain types of wall construction, the I-beams M will be replaced by an angle-iron column Ma. (Figure 9) and the brace-beams it in this embodiment will be provided with slots 32 adjacent their ends. The angle-iron is apertured at 33 to receive a bolt 34, which extends through the slot 32 and is fastened with a nut (not shown) or other suitable fastening. The slots permit lengthwise movement of beams It relative to angle-irons Ma. and a limited up-anddown movement.

The wall construction illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is similar to the construction hereinabove described, and shows the application of the fastenings to a metal cover wall 35.

This wall consists of an outer cover plate 35a of sheet metal or the like, and an inner cover plate 351) of the same or a similar material. The walls 35a and 3519 are spaced to admit a layer of asbestos or other suitable refractory insulation 36 to be disposed therebetween.

The insulation 35 in wall 35 is effective in preventing the outer cover plate 35a from being subjected to the temperature variations encountered in the air space 29 between the outer wall 35 and the inner fire wall l2, and as a result, the plate 35a-may'be fastened to columns I4 by riveting, welding or in any other suitable manner.

The inner plate 35b is subjected to temperature variations through a wide range and to accommodate the resulting expansion and contraction, the plate 35b is, preferably formed of a suitable expanded metal.

At intervals along wall 35, supporting columns 31 in the form of I-beams, suitably anchored at the base by any we1l-known method, are provided. The walls 35a and 3517 are fastened in any suitable manner to the outer flange 31a and the inner flange 31b respectively of columns 31 intermediate the columns M.

The fire wall |2 in Figures 6, '7 and 8 is constructed in the manner hereinbefore described with courses of tile 20 at selective elevations in the same.

.In Figures 7 and 8, the wall anchors or fasteningsare illustrated. A casting 2211' similar to the casting 22 of Figure 4 is used to anchor the fire wall I 2 to the cover wall 35. This casting consists of an anchor portion 25a, a narrowed neck 21a and a fastening portion 26a. The portion 25a is provided with a recess 28a similar to the recess 28 of casting 22, and the neck 21a is similar to the neck 21 of casting 22, except that it is of greater length. The channeled construction of portion 25a and neck 21a corresponds to the channeled construction of casting 22, but terminates intermediate the ends of neck 21a as shown in Figure 11.

The portion 26a has a T-shaped recess tending inwardly from its outer end with the greatest width of the recess of a dimension sufficient to receive the flange 31b of column 31.

Thecolumns 31 have their flanges 31b recessed at any selective elevation as indicated at 39 in Figure 7 to narrow the width of the flange sulficiently to permit the portion 26a of a casting 22a to be disposed with the inner boundary of recess 38 bearing against flange 31b, after which the casting may slide downwardly to the elevation of the tile course 20 with the portion 26a embracing the flange 31?).

The anchor portion 25a of casting 22a is then fitted in the complementary recesses 2| of tiles 20a and 20b. 7

If 1 desired, this method of fastening may be used alone, and it will be readily apparent that the walls I2 and 35 will be held in fixedly spaced relation, while the wall |2 will be free for up and down movement relative to wall 35 by expansion and contraction.

The casting 22a fits flange 31b loosely enough to permit limited lateral movement, and also fits the recess 2| loosely enough to permit some additional lateral movement. a a

As a result of the foregoing, the fastening arrangement of this embodiment of the invention functions in all essentials in the same manner as the fastening devices illustrated in Figure 1.

The fastening device illustrated in Figure 6 may be used in conjunction with the casting 22a, or as the only fastening element for holding the wall |2 at a fixed distance from wall 35.

The device comprises a cantilever arch 40 provided at one endwith an anchor portion 45 which is slotted as indicated at 4| in Figure 7. The opposite end of arch 40 bears a plate 42 projecting below the arch. The upper end 43 of plate 42 is widened and contains a T-shaped recess 44 extending inwardly from its outer end, with the greatest width of the recess of a dimension sulficient to receive the flange 31b of column 31.

The fire wall I 2 in the present construction has a course of tile 20 at a suitable elevation comprising complementary tile sections 20a and 28b, held in spaced relation by a plate 46 which extends beyond the outer face of wall l2 and terminates short of the inner face of the same. The space between the tiles 20a and 2% adjacent the inner face of wall I 2 is filled with a suitable refractory insulation, such as asbestos, as indicated at 41.

The plate 46 is preferably of metal and is illustrated as being as long as the Width of three of the tiles 2D. The length of the plate may be varied to meet different requirements, and the tile may be built into a brick course, if desired.

The arch 40 is placed against flange 31b of the column, and the portion 43 is positioned in register with recess 39. The arch is next allowed to with the portion 43 embracing flange 31b, until the upper end of the arch is at the elevation of the tile course 20.

Plate 46 is then fitted in slot 4|, the anchor portion 45 is fitted in recesses 2| and bolted to plate 46 as shown at 48.

The arch thus becomes effective in maintaining the spaced relation between walls l2 and 35, as Well as providing a support for the portion of wall l2 resting on plate 46.

To limit any further downward movement of the arch, suitable bolts or rivets 49 are fastened in fizange 31b to provide a stop inthe path of plate 4 I In the case of high refractory walls subjected to intense .heat, a considerable expansion and softening occurs under the load, and when the wall is'cooled, this expansion is followed by a settling, which if repeated a number of times, frequently results in a collapse of the wall.

The arch 40 being freely slidable in an upward direction will accommodate any expansion to which the wall is subjected, but after the wall has cooled, the arch is only free to descend until the plate 42 engages the stops 49.

In Figure 10 an expansion joint for the corners of fire wall I 2 has been illustrated. The fire brick are arranged in offset relation to bring the spaces between adjoining bricks and 52 into register with the face of an abutting brick 53 so that there is no direct passage from the inside to the outside of wall l2. 7

This arrangement permits the bricks extending in one direction to be spaced from the bricks extending in another direction, and the space thus provided is staggered or stepped in form. This space is filled with any suitable refractory insulation which possesses yieldable properties, such as asbestos for example.

It will be apparent that the foregoing expan sion joint will accommodate any expansive movement of the respective stretches of wall |2, and at the same time will effectively prevent escape of the heated gases inside wall l2 into the air space 29 exteriorly of the same.

It will be noted that in all the foregoing constructions, the fire wall i2 is free to move in a lengthwise and up-and-down direction Within any range influenced by expansion due to the temperatures to which it is subjected, and at the Likewise, where necessary, provision is made to accommodate expansion of the cover wall. The anchor portion of the fastening element is so devised that its entire surface may be constantly subjected tn the cooling influence of circulating air currents.

The walls of the present invention are simply and easily constructed, and are durable when assembled. The fastening devices are so easily installed that they may be set in place without occasioning loss of time, so that the labor cost of erecting such walls is not appreciably greater than it would be if brick construction were employed throughout.

The tiles and castings are constructed from comparatively inexpensive materials and do not add appreciably to material cost. The fastenings utilize essential elements of the wall construction such as corner columns l4 and supporting columns 31.

Repairs and replacements are readily effected, and one stretch of the wall can be removed and repaired, if necessary, without disturbing the remainder of the wall.

The various materials, shapes and'sizes designated throughout the description as preferable are not essential and may be varied in many respects while retaining the essential features of the invention.

Likewise, the arrangements of brick courses and location of fastenings are only illustrative of what may be done, as it will be apparent that each construction will require certain individual treatments.

Changes and modifications may be availed of within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. The combination with a fire-wall having a plate anchored therein with an edge of the same projecting beyond the wall, of a second wall in spaced relation thereto, a cantilever arch having a slot at one end to admit the projecting portion of the plate, a support for the second wall, and means on the arch engaging the support for maintaining the said walls in substantially uniform spaced relation.

2. In wall construction of the character described, the ccmbination with a tile having a hollowed portion comprising a relatively narrow entrance and an enlarged portion beyond the entrance, of an anchor-element comprising an enlarged body fitted in the enlarged portion of the recess and a narrow neck on the body extending thru the entrance, the body and neck being channeled to admit a circulation of air across their surfaces.

3. The combination with a fire wall, having a plate anchored therein with a portion of the same projecting beyond the fire wall and slotted, of a relatively stationary wall in spaced relation thereto, a slotted beam in the latter wall, and a tieplate embedded in said stationary wall with a hooked end extending through the slot in the beam and having a tongue at its projected end extending through the slot in the plate.

4. The combination with a fire wall, having a plate anchored therein with a portion of the same projecting beyond the fire wall and slotted, of a relatively stationary wall in spaced relation thereto, a slotted beam in the latter wall, and a tieplate embedded in said stationary wall with an upturned end extending through the slot in the beam and having a tongue at its projected end extending through the slot in the plate.

5. In fire wall construction, a tile in a fire wall, having a T-shaped recess, an anchor wall spaced from the fire wall, a headed wall-tie anchored in the recess and projecting therefrom, and means secured to the anchor wall slidably connected for vertical movement with said projecting portion.

6. In fire wall construction, a tile in a fire wall having a T-shaped recess, an anchor wall spaced from the fire wall, a headed wall-tie anchored in the recess andv projecting therefrom, and means secured to the anchor wall slidably connected for vertical movement with said projecting portion, there being a channel extending from the recess to the exterior of the wall for the circulation of air across an embedded surface of the tie.

7. In firewall construction, an anchor wall' spaced from a fire wall, a wall-tie anchored in the fire wall and projecting therefrom, and an anchor member embedded in the anchor wall with a side thereof bearing against said wall, the anchor member being interconnected with the projection of the wall-tie.

8. In fire wall construction, an anchor wall spaced from the fire wall, a. wall-tie anchored in the fire wall and projecting therefrom, an angleiron anchored in the anchor wall with a side thereof bearing against the wall, and a link conne'cting the projection of the tie to the angleiron.

9. In fire wall construction, an anchor wall spaced from a fire wall, a wall-tie anchored in the fire wall and projecting therefrom, an angleiron anchor on the outer face of the anchor wall and having a side embedded in the wall, a link connecting the projection of the tie to the angleiron, a vertical structural member adjacent the outer surface of the anchor wall, and a clip on the angle-iron overlapping the member for vertical movement therealong, and to prevent separation of the angle-iron from the member.

16. In afire wall, a recessed tile, and a wall-tie anchored in the recess and projecting therefrom, there being a passage from the recess to the exterior ofthe wall along a surface or" the tie, for circulating air across the same.

11. In a fire wall, a recessed tile in a fire wall, a channeled and headed wall-tie anchored in the recess and projecting therefrom, an anchor wall spaced from the fire wall, and a hooked element connecting the anchor wall with the tie, there being a transverse slot in the projected portion of the tie for the reception of the hook of the element to permit limited relative horizontal movement between the walls.

12. The combination with a fire wall, of a walltie anchored therein and projecting therefrom, having a transverse slot in the projected portion, an anchor wall spaced from the fire wall, and an element connected with the anchor wall having a projection inserted into the slot to loosely tie the walls in spaced relation.

GEGRGE CROMBIE, SR. 

